Manchester United to seek FA permission for series of friendlies across the globe

Manchester United will be forced to seek permission from the Football
Association to play lucrative friendlies across the globe next season if
David Moyes's team fail to secure European qualification during the final
weeks of this campaign.

European vacation: Manchester United manager David Moyes will have to find a way to replace lost Champions Leage revenue next seasonPhoto: GETtY IMAGES

With Manchester United uncertain of playing in Europe next season, senior figures at Old Trafford are considering the possibility of arranging money-spinning fixtures in the Middle East, United States and possibly India in order to compensate for the financial shortfall of missing out on Champions League or Europa League participation.

Despite United's fall from grace in the Premier League this season, where they currently lie seventh and outside a Europa League qualification berth, the club would still be able to command seven-figure sums by accepting invitations to play fixtures outside of Europe.

But with the FA forced to comply with regulations laid down by Fifa and Uefa, United would not be able to play non-competitive fixtures unless sanctioned by the domestic governing body.

United were given permission to play in Saudi Arabia in January 2008 in order to provide the opposition in a testimonial for Al-Hilal forward Sami al Jaber in Riyadh.

But with Uefa determined to safeguard the integrity and prestige of their competitions, particularly the much-maligned Europa League, United could find it difficult to persuade the FA to sign off any overseas friendlies during weeks set aside for European football.

Should they miss out on European qualification for the first time since the Heysel ban was lifted in 1990, United would be obliged to enter the Capital One Cup at the second round stage next season, thereby denying the club a potentially free week to accept an invitation to play in the Middle East or United States.

With United holding European champions Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final this week, Moyes's players will face Pep Guardiola's team next Wednesday knowing they must win the competition this team in order to compete in it again next season.

A place in the Europa League remains within United's grasp if they can over haul sixth place Tottenham, while seventh place could yet become a qualification spot if Arsenal reach the FA Cup Final and drop out of the top four.

Despite the uncertainty over United's possible European commitments, the club are understood to be close to confirming a friendly against Real Madrid in Michigan at the end of July - a date which would clash with a Europa League qualifying round.